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MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for September 2015

Lack of “Serious Independent Analysis" of Exemptions Can Result in Finding of Bad Faith Under PRA

September 29, 2015  by  P. Stephen DiJulio
Category:  Guest Author ,  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions ,  Public Records Act

In Adams v. Washington State Department of Corrections, the Court of Appeals held that for purposes of penalty calculation for agencies that do not comply with public records requests under RCW 42.56.565(1), an agency will be punished for “bad faith” if it fails to engage “in any serious independent analysis of the exempt status of documents.”

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New Property Disclosure Requirements Will Impact Some Cities and Counties

September 25, 2015  by  Joe Levan
Category:  New Legislation and Regulations

Although EHB 2122 relates primarily to real estate excise taxes, it includes requirements for cities and counties that require disclosures by landlords and sellers of real property to buyers and tenants regarding the property and surrounding area.

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Getting Your Newly Elected Officials Ready to Hit the Ground Running

September 15, 2015  by  Lynn Nordby
Category:  Administrative and Elected Officials

Every election cycle potentially introduces new members to your policy board or chief executive’s office. You have an opportunity to give the newly elected members of the team a “leg up” so that they can begin their term of office as ready as possible on day one.

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A New Economic Development Strategy for Clallam County

September 11, 2015  by  Jim McEntire
Category:  Guest Author ,  Strategies and Programs

A Clallam County commissioner writes about how the county and other local governments can work with the private sector to encourage economic development.

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Administrative Appeal Process Must Now Be Offered for Required Septic-to-Sewer Conversions

September 8, 2015  by  John W. Carpita, PE
Category:  Utilities

After several years in the making, the legislature passed ESB 5871 requiring cities, towns, and counties to offer an administrative appeals process when septic repair or replacement of existing single family systems is denied by the local health department and a sewer hookup is required.

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Hiring the Right Person: The Art of the Reference Check

September 3, 2015  by  Marci Wright
Category:  Guest Author ,  Recruitment and Hiring

Reference checks are essential in any hiring process and should almost always be done. 30-year HR veteran Marci Wright offers some tips and tricks for getting them most out of your reference checks.

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